Trusting God's Promises in Active Waiting
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the profound nature of God's promises, particularly as illustrated in Acts 1:6-11. We began by acknowledging the human tendency to be let down by unfulfilled promises, such as the recurring political promises to end Daylight Savings Time. In contrast, God's promises are steadfast and reliable, offering us a foundation of hope and trust. As we delved into the passage, we focused on the promise Jesus made to His apostles before His ascension, emphasizing the already-but-not-yet nature of God's kingdom. This concept illustrates that while the kingdom of God is present and active, it is not yet fully realized until Jesus returns.
The disciples' inquiry about the timing of the kingdom's restoration highlights a common human desire to know the specifics of God's plans. However, Jesus redirects their focus from the "when" to the assurance that the kingdom will indeed be fulfilled. This teaches us that our faith should rest not on knowing the details but on trusting the certainty of God's promises. The church, as a faith-based institution, is called to rely on God's faithfulness rather than human strategies or timelines.
Furthermore, we discussed the role of the Holy Spirit as the source of power for fulfilling God's mission. Unlike worldly endeavors that depend on human abilities, the work of God's kingdom is carried out through the Spirit's empowerment. This calls us to shift our reliance from self-sufficiency to dependence on the Spirit's guidance and strength.
Lastly, we considered the importance of waiting on God's timing. Just as the apostles waited for the Holy Spirit, we too are often called to wait as God prepares us and our circumstances. This waiting is not passive but involves active faith and trust in God's ongoing work. As we await Jesus' return, we are reminded of our mission to be His witnesses, sharing the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust in God's Promises: While human promises often fall short, God's promises are trustworthy and certain. Our focus should be on the assurance that God's kingdom will be fulfilled, rather than the specifics of when it will happen. This requires a shift from seeking details to trusting in God's faithfulness. [10:30]
- The Already-Not-Yet Kingdom: The kingdom of God is both present and future. We live in the tension of experiencing God's reign now while anticipating its full realization. This understanding calls us to live as ambassadors of reconciliation, extending God's invitation to others. [21:37]
- Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The mission of God's kingdom is not dependent on our abilities but on the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to rely on the Spirit's guidance and strength, moving away from self-sufficiency to dependence on God's provision. [26:52]
- Active Waiting on God: Waiting on God's promises is an active process that involves faith and trust. In seasons of waiting, God prepares us and our circumstances, growing our dependence on Him. This waiting is never in vain, as God uses it to shape our character and faith. [26:52]
- Living Out the Mission: As we await Jesus' return, we are called to actively participate in His mission. This involves being witnesses of the gospel, sharing the good news to the ends of the earth. Our mission is empowered by the Spirit and carried out in community with the local church. [26:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Daylight Savings and Empty Promises
- [02:15] - God's Trustworthy Promises
- [04:00] - Exploring Acts 1:6-11
- [05:30] - The Already-Not-Yet Kingdom
- [07:45] - Disciples' Inquiry and Human Desire
- [10:30] - Trusting God's Timing
- [12:00] - The Church as a Faith-Based Institution
- [14:30] - Role of the Holy Spirit
- [17:00] - Empowerment for Mission
- [19:30] - Active Waiting on God
- [21:37] - Living Out the Mission
- [24:00] - Encouragement for the Church
- [26:52] - Awaiting Jesus' Return
- [29:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 1:6-11
Observation Questions:
1. What question did the disciples ask Jesus before His ascension, and how did He respond? [10:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the "already-but-not-yet" nature of God's kingdom? [05:30]
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the mission of God's kingdom according to the sermon? [21:37]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of waiting on God's timing with the example of the apostles? [26:52]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen not to reveal the specific timing of the kingdom's restoration to His disciples? [10:30]
2. How does the "already-but-not-yet" nature of the kingdom affect the way believers live their lives today? [05:30]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that reliance on the Holy Spirit differs from reliance on human abilities? [21:37]
4. What lessons can be learned from the apostles' period of waiting for the Holy Spirit, and how does this apply to modern believers? [26:52]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were focused on the "when" rather than the "will" of God's promises. How did that affect your faith and trust in God? [10:30]
2. How can you live as an ambassador of reconciliation in your daily life, given the "already-but-not-yet" nature of God's kingdom? [05:30]
3. Identify an area in your life where you are relying on your own abilities rather than the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take to shift that reliance? [21:37]
4. Think of a situation where you are currently waiting on God's timing. How can you actively engage in faith and trust during this waiting period? [26:52]
5. How can you encourage others in your church community to rely more on the Holy Spirit rather than self-sufficiency? [21:37]
6. What practical steps can you take to be a witness of the gospel in your local community as you await Jesus' return? [26:52]
7. Consider a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you focus more on the character of God who gives the promise rather than the details of its fulfillment? [10:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in the Certainty of God's Promises
God's promises stand in stark contrast to human promises, which often fall short. While people may fail to deliver on their commitments, God's promises are unwavering and reliable. This assurance is rooted in the nature of God, who is faithful and true. The kingdom of God, as promised by Jesus, is a testament to this certainty. It is a kingdom that is both present and yet to be fully realized. This duality invites believers to trust in the fulfillment of God's promises, even when the specifics of timing remain unknown. The call is to shift focus from the details of "when" to the assurance that God's kingdom will indeed come to fruition. This trust in God's faithfulness is foundational for a life of hope and confidence in His plans. [10:30]
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to trust fully? How can you actively choose to trust in His faithfulness today, despite not knowing all the details?
Day 2: Living in the Tension of the Already-Not-Yet Kingdom
The kingdom of God is a profound reality that is both present and future. This "already-not-yet" nature means that while God's reign is active and transformative in the world today, its complete fulfillment awaits Jesus' return. Believers are called to live in this tension, experiencing the blessings of God's kingdom now while anticipating its full realization. This understanding shapes how Christians engage with the world, as they are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, extending God's invitation to others. Living in this tension requires a balance of hope and action, as believers work to bring about God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. [21:37]
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: How can you act as an ambassador of God's kingdom in your daily interactions? What specific steps can you take to extend God's invitation to those around you today?
Day 3: Relying on the Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
The mission of God's kingdom is not dependent on human abilities or strategies but on the power of the Holy Spirit. This divine empowerment is essential for fulfilling God's purposes, as it enables believers to move beyond self-sufficiency and rely on God's provision. The Holy Spirit guides, strengthens, and equips believers for the work of the kingdom, ensuring that their efforts are aligned with God's will. This reliance on the Spirit calls for a posture of humility and dependence, as believers seek to be led by God's wisdom and strength rather than their own. [26:52]
Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than the Holy Spirit's empowerment? How can you invite the Spirit to guide and strengthen you in these areas today?
Day 4: Embracing Active Waiting on God's Timing
Waiting on God's promises is an active process that involves faith and trust. Just as the apostles waited for the Holy Spirit, believers are often called to wait as God prepares them and their circumstances. This waiting is not passive but involves active engagement with God's ongoing work. It is a time of growth and preparation, as God shapes character and deepens faith. Embracing this active waiting requires patience and a willingness to trust in God's perfect timing, knowing that He is at work even when the fulfillment of His promises seems delayed. [26:52]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are currently waiting on God's timing? How can you actively engage in this waiting period, trusting that God is preparing you and your circumstances?
Day 5: Participating in the Mission of God
As believers await Jesus' return, they are called to actively participate in His mission. This involves being witnesses of the gospel, sharing the good news to the ends of the earth. The mission is empowered by the Holy Spirit and carried out in community with the local church. Believers are called to live out their faith in tangible ways, demonstrating the love and grace of God to those around them. This participation in God's mission is a vital aspect of the Christian life, as it reflects the heart of God for the world and invites others into His kingdom. [26:52]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the gospel with this week? What steps can you take to be a witness of God's love and grace to them?
Quotes
"Thankfully, I'm grateful we can gather here this morning to celebrate a God whose promises to his people are promises that are actually trustworthy and actually possess the power to come to fulfillment. And that's what we're going to go after today as we look at this next passage of Acts. So today we'll be in Acts chapter 1, verses 6 through 11." [00:03:00]
"Now, here's what's important for us to understand today from a theological perspective is that the kingdom of God exists in what scholars term as this already not yet state, where, yes, the kingdom is here now, right, and Jesus gives us as his disciples an understanding of what that kingdom looks like, right, how to live under the reign and rule of King Jesus." [00:03:00]
"While God is faithful to his promise, promise, he does not specify when, right? This is the first issue the disciples here face. It's this inquiry of, well, when will the kingdom be ushered in? And the issue is that the when here becomes the focal point, that the challenge is the when could become the focal point rather than the promise of God that it will take place, right?" [00:07:00]
"The disciples want to know the details, right? Which is, which, okay, if we're honest, that's very human of them, right? Very, very human of us. Like how often when we're seeking God's plan that he has in our lives, do we desire to know the exact timeline, right? The exact way these events will be fulfilled." [00:07:07]
"The church, an institution based upon what? Faith. Faith. And listen, I'll be transparent. Over the past few years, God has convicted me. Of my desire to know every detail of when this, and he will build this, like when things will come together for this church and when things will happen." [00:08:17]
"Because here's the reality of the church that Jesus promises to build. The church, the church is a faith-based institution, right? We might need to highlight that word faith, even in regards to our own life, right? This is a faith. Our relationship with God is faith. It's trust, right?" [00:10:41]
"Those approaches are great for business, but the church is so different in that in order for the church to exist, well, it comes with a complete dependence and faith that Jesus will be true to his promise that the church is his and that he will build it, that he will provide the resources that are needed for furthering the furthering of his kingdom through the church." [00:11:15]
"God promises how he will carry his work and that come that fulfillment comes by the power of the Holy Spirit look what it says but you receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth and we had said these things as they were looking on he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight." [00:16:27]
"The Spirit of God cannot be handed some sort of like game plan and how we think He should move in our lives. I think we at times might need to be cautious in the trap of even like limiting the Spirit of how we believe the Spirit will operate, will work. And we need to be aware that if we desire to have the Spirit follow our plans rather than following His prompting, His leading, right, if that's our approach, we're going to be kind of disappointed." [00:18:28]
"Think about how much of, as a culture, we enjoy waiting, right? How many people love sitting on hold on some sort of like a waiting your turn, some sort of call center. It's like five minutes, right? Or waiting for a check to clear. That's a good time, right? How about waiting in traffic as the DOT does the best work they can in getting a sinkhole fixed, right?" [00:23:45]
"Waiting as God is doing the work of preparing us. Waiting even as God is preparing the circumstances that he's putting together through the promises that he gives. And listen, I'll be honest, waiting is hard. I know many of us, right? Just waiting for God to provide a physical church building, right? For us here, that was really hard." [00:24:57]
"What are we waiting for? We await the return of Jesus the same way in which he left his disciples in that moment. And as we spoke about in our second Peter study, right, this waiting isn't this like passive staring at the clouds, right? Like these disciples are doing this moment. Not at all. The waiting includes a call to live out the mission that has been given us, right?" [00:26:12]
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